This document summarizes the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 239, concerning the Jharkhand State Commission for Backward Classes' examination of the inclusion of 36 marginalized caste groups into the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The question, posed on July 22, 2025, inquired about the government's awareness of a public hearing scheduled in Ranchi on July 2, 2025, to review this inclusion.
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, stated that the public hearing, initially scheduled for July 2, 2025, was rescheduled and completed on July 3, 2025, as informed by the Government of Jharkhand. Further details regarding the hearing were not provided by the Government of Jharkhand. The Minister clarified that the inclusion of any castes in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes is conducted according to Article 342A of the Constitution of India, following the 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018, which came into force on August 11, 2018. The National Commission for Backward Classes has informed that they have tendered 09 Advices.
Key Entities Referenced
Jharkhand State Commission for Backward Classes: A state-level commission in Jharkhand responsible for matters related to backward classes.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: The location of a public hearing concerning the inclusion of caste groups into the Central List of Other Backward Classes.
Central List of Other Backward Classes: A list maintained by the Government of India that identifies communities eligible for certain benefits and protections.
SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH: Member of LOK SABHA who raised a question regarding the Jharkhand State Commission for Backward Classes.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT: The concerned ministry to answer questions about backward classes.
SHRI B.L.VERMA: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment who provided the answer to the question.
National Commission for Backward Classes: A commission involved in scheduling and conducting the public hearing regarding inclusion of castes.
Article 342A of the Constitution of India: The constitutional article governing the inclusion or exclusion of castes in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.239
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025
JHARKHAND STATE COMMISSION FOR BACKWARD CLASSES
239. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Jharkhand State Commission for Backward Classes
has called for a public hearing on July 2, 2025 in Ranchi, to examine the inclusion of 36 caste
groups, highly marginalized and long-excluded from Central OBC lists into the Central List of
Other Backward Classes, if so, the details thereof:
(b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely and equitable inclusion of such caste
groups recommended by States like Jharkhand, especially these communities continue to face
systemic discrimination and economic marginalization;
(c) the details and number of such pending recommendation from various States, year-wise and
the reasons for the delays continue to persist in updating the Central list; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to set a deadline for processing such proposal to uphold
constitutional and social justice obligations, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) & (b):As informed by the Government of Jharkhand this public hearing was scheduled by
the National Commission for Backward Classes on 02.07.2025 but it was rescheduled and
completed on 03.07.2025. Further details have not been provided by Government of
Jharkhand.
The inclusion of any castes in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes
is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 342A of the Constitution of India.
(c) & (d):After 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 which came into force on
11.08.2018, inclusion/exclusion in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward
Classes is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 342A of the Constitution of India.
National Commission for Backward Classes has informed that they have tendered 09 (Nine)
Advices.
Ae eK